Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter VII — Other Human Rights Issues
Section C – Dismissals of Students and Suspensions of
Scholarships
1. Factual Background
1457. On 3 March 2011, the first protest inside the University of Bahrain
campus took place with approximately 100 students participating without
incident. One week later, on 10 March, around 300 students and some
university staff began to gather in the main yard of the Sakhir campus in the
area between the administrative buildings and the library. The demonstration
took the form of a march followed by a sit-in. The participants declared their
solidarity with the protesters at the GCC Roundabout, denounced the killing
of peaceful protesters, affirmed their commitment to national unity and
rejected sectarianism.
1458. On 13 March 2011, there were major protests and clashes between
pro- and anti-government protesters at the University of Bahrain, leading to
the expulsion of hundreds of students from both the University of Bahrain and
Bahrain Polytechnic. It is unclear who instigated or participated in the violent
clashes and vandalism that occurred on campus at this time. University
administrators alleged that student protesters committed these crimes with
help from armed protesters (non-students) from the GCC Roundabout.
Alternatively, student protesters alleged that pro-government thugs entered the
campus when the demonstration was underway and attacked students.
1459. Notwithstanding these uncertainties, the overall sequence of events
on 13 March 2011 is relatively clear. Approximately 400-500 students from
both the University of Bahrain and Bahrain Polytechnic began a
demonstration at the main Sakhir campus of the University of Bahrain.
Students went from one college to the next in order to draw in more students
to join the demonstration. Confrontations between students broke out in the
food court of the Bahrain Teachers College and at the College of Law.
University administrators moved to lock some of the buildings on campus.
Some university buildings were vandalised, windows and doors were broken
and a classroom in one building was set on fire. Protestors from the GCC
Roundabout headed to the University of Bahrain campus to join the
demonstrations there. These protestors forcibly entered the campus through
the university’s eastern entrance and the main gate, which had earlier been
locked by administrators. Violent clashes between students and others on the
campus ensued and many students were injured. There were reports that
swords, wooden sticks and knives were used. A number of students were
seriously injured and required urgent medical attention. Some were
transferred by ambulance to SMC, while others were taken to the BDF
Hospital.
1460. One well-publicised attack on an individual at the University of
Bahrain was captured on a video, which was provided by the NSA. On 13
March 2011 the individual was accused of being a “baltajia” (a thug working
for the GoB) and was beaten severely. He was attacked on the roof of the
355